All Things Fashionating by tracy mausser

Well, for years, I've heard nothing but great things about the T.V. show Mad Men. Unfortunately, I missed the series premier back in 2007 and I absolutely hate starting a show mid-way through its life.  So, for the past four years, I have waited patiently for the critically acclaimed, award-winning hit show about Madison Avenue ad execs from the 1960s to make it to Netflix. As you can guess, it is finally here.  I am still on the first season -- its fifth will premier in March 2012 -- but I am hooked. The show is about Don Draper, played by the hunky Jon Hamm, the creative director at Sterling Cooper advertising agency, and his escapades in and out of the office. Since I am sooooo behind, I am assuming that I am preaching to the choir; however, I just want to say a few things: First, my kitchen is a mirror image of Don and Betty Drapers kitchen -- fashionable and stylish for 1960 but...; Second, men have NOT changed since that era -- women just had to fight har...

Well, we have been official homeowners for the past four months.   One of the most surprising things about our home, which was built in 1959, is that – according to city documents – nothing has been done to our home since 1959. One of the reasons that Jason and I totally fell for our house (when it was a rental) was the authentic retro quality.   Us Maussers have always been fans of anything vintage. http://allthingsfashionating.blogspot.com/2011/08/vintage-love-affair-first-time-around.html   Our kitchen has most of the original appliances and I have to admit, they work better than the cut-rate, newer ones we had in our last rental.   Also, the absolute 1950s pink and yellow tiles in the bathrooms were endearing to us as well. Mostly, it was the ocean views, four bedrooms and my walk-in closet that really made this dinosaur a gem to us. So, when we were able to buy this home from the estate of the first and only owner when she passed away earlier this summer, ...

There are so many days in which I take everything in my life for granted.   I am absolutely guilty of whining for naught and crying over spilt milk. I mean, I am a chick you know. However, I truly realize that I am blessed in every sense.   It is a pity that it takes a (gasp) holiday to make me pause and smell the roses, but such is life. Today, I want to take a moment to reflect and give my thanks.   I am – of course – thankful for my boy Shane and hubby Jason.   The two of them provide me with my core happiness.   When Jason and I had been dating for a while, I just knew that he was the “one.”   I would wake up in the middle of the night and knowing that he was sleeping by my side and my partner in life, I would be overcome by this warm enveloping blanket of happiness and contentment.   It was a feeling that our love was bigger than anything I had ever known until Shane was born. I look at my little guy and see all the sunshine of positivity...

The Women's Foursome at Pelican Hill A few weeks ago, my boss popped into my office and asked if I had ever gotten into golf. REWIND:   Back in June, some girlfriends had asked me to join them for nine holes of golf for a birthday celebration.   I was super excited to take up golf despite my husband’s nay-saying.   But, after taking a few lessons, I threw my back out and that was the end of that until the boss man approached me to play on one of Southern California’s premier golf courses. A female client from the energy industry was trying to put together a foursome of women for a tournament at Pelican Hill Golf Course in Newport and was desperately seeking a fourth.   Without any hint of ego, my reply was that I have never played golf and I suck.   Boss man said, “You’ll do just fine.”   However, my golf experience did not particularly start out that way. Two days before my first “real” golf tournament in which I was to be part of a fou...

Dear Santa (hint, hint Jason), All I want for Christmas is Sephora's Make-up Studio Blockbuster palette.  This palette contains: - 96 eye shadow shades - 84 shiny lip glosses - 6 cream eyeliners - 2 eyeliner pencils - 3 blushes - 1 bronzer - 1 mascara - 4 applicators According to Sephora's website, the palette -- designed in gay Paris -- by Sephora's beauty team is an array of colors to inspire the make-up artist in each of us.  From subdued natural tones to trendy hues, you will have all the colors you need to create a face that is tres chic. With this collection of make-up which retails for only $49.50, I will be sitting pretty while ringing in the New Year.

Donatella & Nicki Minaj at the Versace for H&M launch party. I don’t think this will be another Missoni moment for me but, for some, the highly anticipated launch of Versace for H&M tomorrow Saturday Nov. 19 is going to rock some worlds. Starting at 8 a.m., shoppers will be able to get their hands on the mens- and womens-wear line – created by the Italian designer at a fraction of the typical Versace cost – at selected H&M stores through the U.S. Donatella Versace, designer and VP of the Versace Group, said the 43-piece collection took about nine months to come to conception – just like a baby – 43 to be exact. With a Versace signature that is literally to the point, the H&M collection shows chain-mail mini-dresses, black leather sheaths embossed with gold studs, fluorescent purses with a lot of hardware; and highlights from recent Versace collections such as fitted eyelet dresses with asymmetric necklines and military-influenced long strapless numbers....

For me, I love wearing fabulous shoes because there is nothing more feminine than a woman in stylish heels; however, after a long day at the office, just the thought of going the extra step in those sky high heels is like torture. So, when my friend from work, Jet, told me about cityslips, I was intrigued.  I had heard about them before but wasn't really sure where to find them and thought that my boring old Target flats would continue to do the trick. cityslips are foldable ballet flats which come in a little carry case.  And, even though the concept of carrying an alternative shoes to swap heels is not new -- especially from my NYC days -- but back then it was those horrible white Reeboks with long dresses.  Ewwwww!  But -- fast forward -- while at Marshall's yesterday, I found a pair of cityslips in size 9 just waiting for me to take them home.  The faux patent leather flats are pretty simple but look good quality and the carrying case is jus...

Rachel and Tracy at the finish line "In running, it doesn't matter whether you come in first, in the middle of the pack, or last. You can say, 'I have finished.' There is a lot of satisfaction in that." -Fred Lebow, New York City Marathon co-founder Almost two weeks ago, my good friend Rachel and I ran the Los Angeles Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon.   This was our third half marathon – not to mention the many 10K and 5K races – which we have shouldered together.   For the past five years, we have been running companions – so throughout the year – we lace up our running shoes and pound the pavement together a few mornings a week. However, over the past month, we had to amp our training schedule into high gear in order to get some major miles under our belt.   So, once the race was done, it was so nice not to feel pressured by our early morning runs. The half marathon ideal is great because we have a shared goal and it sure as hell is a lot easier to get out of be...

I'm sure you may have noticed some changes to my blog -- All Things Fashionating -- over the past few weeks.  I have been working to revamp its look. Most recently, I have been playing around with Blogger's new Dynamic Views.  I truly love the way it makes my blog look much more professional; however, in its primal stages, it is not 100% user-friendly yet.  But they are working on it. Please check it out, b ut you will have to visit my blog directly at http://allthingsfashionating.blogspot.com Take a few minutes to check out ATF while in these different views and let me know what you think!  I want to hear from you.

Final Four (L to R): Viktor, Anya, Joshua & Kimberly Lately, I have been a day late and a dollar short in every aspect.   I have been floundering to keep myself afloat in the personal and professional abyss of my life with any extra-curricular hobbies – such as television watching –fallen by the wayside. I am aghast to report that I didn’t watch the season finale of Project Runway Season 9 until just last night – almost an entire week after the reality show concluded. As I have posted before, I am a huge Heidi Klum fan. He-ey! But, out of all the reality shows that I keep up with and -- despite Klum’s involvement -- I find that Project Runway really inspires me.  [See my previous post about Project Runway http://allthingsfashionating.blogspot.com/view/sidebar#!/2011/07/project-runway-brings-fierceness-back.html  ] The competition started with the largest number of contestants ever with 20 designers but, after eight plus weeks, the talent was been wh...

It is that time of the year again, Bloomingdale's is offering its Friends and Family Holiday Discount of 20% off until Sunday Nov. 13. I'm hoping I can finally use my gift cards from my birthday -- thank you Nat and Jen! If you are shopping online, use the promo code HAPPY when checking out; if you are shopping in the store, please click the link to print out the bar code. http://www.bloomingdales.com/customerservice/fandf/wwwfandfwww6.jsp?cm_mmc=EML-_-Promotional-_-Promo_11-7-11_FriendsandFamily-_-Htext_FF2&EMAIL_ID=14005745505 And, if that isn't enough, they are offering free shipping on this promo as well...just use the secondary promo code FREESHIP11. Happy Shopping!

There was always A power I could feel It was guidance to tell me the way to go But nowadays I feel like can't hear that voice I've been flying blind I need you to come and be my eyes. (be my eyes) River Rise Carry me back home (I cannot remember the way) River rise Carry me back home (I surrender today) I was always A charmed flower child I would sit for hours And listen to the sky But nowadays I feel like I don't have that choice I've been looking down in desperation I need you to be my inspiration yeah (My inspiration)  R iver rise Carry me back home (I cannot remember the way) River rise Carry me back home (I surrender today) I bow down And I humble myself I can't do this Lord I need your help All the material things They feel like chains If you're not here beside me You're the reason I see (Help me to remember the way) I surrender Help me to remember Only you can show me (Only you ca...

Loyal is not just a word to me.   It also represents the unswerving allegiance of my grandfather – Addison Loyal Williams – aka Pop Pop. His mother, my great-grandmother Queenie, could not have known on the day of his birth that her small son would grow into a man who wore that middle name well and proud until the day he died. My grandfather carried a faithful allegiance to God, his family and friends until the moment of his passing on a Sunday morning last March while bowed down on his knees reading the bible and praying. Today would have been his 86 th birthday, so I’ve been thinking about him a lot. Growing up, I spent much time at my grandparents’ house.   Being an early riser – as I still am today – I would be up at the crack of dawn.   My grandfather, a devout Christian, woke early every single morning to pray and meditate.   On those mornings, I would wrap myself into his arms and he would walk the dark halls of their big old house singing an...